It was a slow Sunday afternoon at the Oberoi Mansion. The house was filled with the usual hustle and bustle of family members wandering around, having casual conversations, and sipping on chai. Shivaay was sitting in his study room, casually flipping through a business report when Gauri walked in with a slightly concerned expression.
Gauri had been working on her PR skills for a while now. She had been attending events and making her mark in the Oberoi family business, but she had always felt a little uneasy when it came to English. Her communication skills were fine, but she knew that if she wanted to handle important business interactions or even speak at some of the high-profile Oberoi events, she needed to improve her command of the language.
Shivaay looked up from his report and noticed Gauri staring at a book in her hands, biting her lip. He furrowed his brows. "Gauri, what's the matter? You look... troubled."
Gauri hesitated for a moment, then sat down on the couch beside him. "Bhaiya, I know I've been working hard with the PR team, but there are still times when I feel a bit... out of place. Sometimes I can't express myself as well as I want to, especially when I have to speak in English. I've been trying to improve, but it's just not enough." She bit her lip again. "I'm thinking maybe I need some formal guidance, you know?"
Shivaay's eyes widened a little at her vulnerability. It wasn't often Gauri showed uncertainty, but Shivaay, ever the perfectionist and proud of his own abilities, couldn't help but rise to the challenge.
"Is that all? You want to learn English?" He gave her a reassuring smile, a mix of pride and seriousness in his eyes. "I'll teach you. You know I'm the best when it comes to languages."
Gauri blinked in surprise, unsure if Shivaay was serious or just being his usual confident self. "Wait... what? You'll teach me? I mean, I know you're great with English, but... can you really teach it? You've got this whole... bossy vibe going on."
Shivaay gave her a side eye followed by a cheeky grin. "Gauri, trust me, no one teaches English like I do. I have a way with words—perfect English, that is. I can make you sound like a pro in no time." He paused and gave her a mock serious look. "But I warn you, it's not going to be easy. I only accept perfection."
Gauri raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Perfection? You think I'll be perfect in English just like that?"
Shivaay's smile widened. "If anyone can make you perfect, it's me."
He leaned back in his chair with the confidence of someone who had never known defeat. "Alright, Gauri. Here's the deal. I'll teach you, but you'll have to work hard. No slacking off. Understand?"
Gauri hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, realizing that this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. "Okay, Bhaiya. Let's do it."
***********
"Alright, Gauri," Shivaay started, flipping through his notes. "Today we're going to learn some essential business English. I'll begin with vocabulary that'll help you sound more professional in meetings."
Gauri nodded, already bracing herself for the vocabulary he was about to bombard her with.
But, as Shivaay started going into the lesson, something unexpected happened. Every time Gauri spoke, the words coming out of her mouth weren't the standard English he had been teaching her, but Bihari phrases, slipping through unconsciously.
"Shivaay bhai, ee ka kari?" she asked, after misunderstanding one of his complicated explanations.
Shivaay blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What? No, no, Gauri. That's... not English. This is English class."
